croatia

Driving in Croatia is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the country. It allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery that Croatia has to offer, as well as making your visit more flexible. Driving in Croatia makes it much easier to explore the country, whilst also making it possible for you to visit destinations that are slightly further afield such as Montenegro or Slovenia. Whether you are taking your own car or hiring a vehicle here is some helpful information to make your driving experience as pleasurable as possible.

Driving Requirements in Croatia

You must have a full UK Driving licence to be able to drive in Croatia. If you have travelled across Europe with your own car you will also need to have with you your proof of ownership with you, and your insurance information.

Basic information for driving in Croatia

Credit: Filippo Giunchedi

Driving is on the right hand side of the road, with over-taking taking place on the left.

Mobile phones must not be used when driving.

Seat belts are mandatory so must always be worn.

Children under 12 are not permitted to sit in the front seat of the vehicle. Babies and children up to the age of 5 must be in a suitable child safety seat. Children aged between 5 years old and 12 years old, dependent on their height and weight, must use a booster seat.

Safety information and requirements when driving in Croatia.

Credit: Alehins

From the end of October until the last weekend in March you must always have your headlights on, even in daylight.

A high visibility jacket must be kept in the car at all times, and must be worn at any time that the driver is out of the vehicle for any reason, such as following an accident, changing a tire, making repairs.

If you need emergency road help you can dial (+385) 1987 which is manned by English speakers who will try and assist you. This is provided by HAK – Croatia Auto Club, who also have an app which can be useful on your journey (available on the app store). Alternatively they also have further information on their website http://www.hak.hr/en

If you have an accident and need urgent assistance call the police on 112

Drink drive limit

The drink drive limit in Croatia is 0.05%

Speed limits

Please see below for a list of usual speed limits. In certain areas these may be different so please always take note of the road signs:

50km/h in settled areas

90km/h outside settled areas

110km/h on major roadways, highways

130km/h on motorways

(80km/h for vehicles towing a caravan/trailer without brakes)

Toll Roads

Credit: Vacation2

Some drivers prefer to avoid the toll roads and instead travel on the more scenic coastal roads. However for long distance driving the toll roads does allow for a shorter journey time. The majority of all toll roads are found on the motorways in Croatia. There are 7 motorways in total, all with tolls. You are charged for the distance you have travelled on the motorway and pay for the toll when you choose to exit the motorway. You can pay for the toll by cash, or by debit or credit card. There are also some 3 lane highways, such as the Istrian Y road which has two tolls, one at the Tunnel Uckat, and the other at ‘Mirna Viaduct’.

For more information on toll roads you can visit the Hvatske Autoceste website which has information of the motorways and tolls, as well as weather and traffic conditions reports – http://hac.hr/en/toll-rates

After massive success in 2015, Krilo have released the 2016 timetable for the Split to Dubrovnik catamaran route. This will again make it easy to island hop in Croatia this summer.

The catamaran service which starts in Split on the morning on the 2nd May, will connect Brac (Milna), Hvar, Korcula, Mljet and of course Dubrovnik. Departing late afternoon, it will then head back up to Split reversing the route. The May timetable will see a service on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

From Monday 1st June, the service will become daily until 9th October, then operate Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday until 30th October. Bank Holidays (7 in total for the summer season), will operate as normal.

Prices again are particularly reasonable, making Croatia island hopping an affordable means of seeing the best parts of everything this beautiful country has to offer.

Krilo 2016: Dubrovnik-islands-Split Timetable:

Credit: krilo.hr

Krilo 2016: Dubrovnik-islands-Split Prices:

Credit: krilo.hr

Unofficial reports back in December, suggested that a a bigger, faster boat would be used for this service, however we have no word yet as to whether this will happen.

News also filtered through that a new direct service between Dubrovnik and Split will be starting in 2016. Taking 3 hours, it will mean that this will be on par with a driving between Split and Dubrovnik, without the hassle of crossing into Bosnia & Herzegovina, at the Neum corridor. The Tomic family, who run the Krilo service, acquired “Espalmador Jet” from Ibiza last year for a reported 3 million Euros. We eagerly wait news on this incredible new service.

The hit Emmy nominated television show Game of Thrones used some of Croatia’s’ many amazing landmarks and locations to depict the fictional land of Westeros. Whilst the battle for the Iron Throne continues we show four of the Croatian destinations for you to visit.

Dubrovnik – Known in the Game of Thrones as King’s Landing, in reality Dubrovnik has been crowned the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. The Old Town in Dubrovnik is a well preserved example of a late-medieval walled city and boasts UNESCO Heritage protection. Explore the Old Town and relax in many of the bars and restaurants within it. You can also purchase tickets, which are approximately £7 to walk around the walls. This also includes entrance to Lovrijenac Fortress with features in Game of Thrones as Red Keep. It was once of great importance to the defense of Dubrovnik.

For the best view of Dubrovnik take a trip on the cable car up Mount Srdj for around £10. You will be able to see the Old Town and the Fortress from here along with many of the nearby islands, including Lokrum (Qarth).

Lokrum – Lying around 500m from the coast, Lokrum Island was portrayed as the ancient port of Qarth in the Game of Thrones series. Take a ferry to Lokrum from Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbour between April and November, with regular departures throughout the day. There are number of things to do during your time on this peaceful island.

Lokrum Island

You can swim in the small lake located towards the south of island, or lie on the smooth rocks and relax, with the waves lapping at your feet. If you’re feeling peckish, have a meal in the restaurant or take a walk around the island and to the ruins of a Benedictine monastery. You may notice that you will have some company on the island, in the form of free roaming peacocks that are present on Lokrum.

Trsteno – Located around 15 miles from Dubrovnik, Trsteno has some of the lushest vegetation in the Mediterranean. It is increasing in popularity due to the Arboretum being depicted in the Games of Thrones as the garden in Kings Landing. Trsteno is a small fishing village with no hotels but can be visited as a day trip from Dubrovnik. A regular local bus service connects Dubrovnik and Trsteno throughout the day and takes around 30 minutes.

Trsteno Arboretum

There are amazing sea views as well as the Arboretum to be visited. Some areas of the Arboretum were badly damaged during the war in 1991 and by fire in 2000 but it has since been recreated. It is a fantastic place to walk around or relax with a book amongst the beautiful scenery and amazing views. You can also visit Neptune fountain, or walk the paths to the harbour where some of the scenes from the Game of Thrones were filmed.

Krka National Park – was used for countryside scenes and natural backdrop scenes in the Game of Thrones. It in one of Croatia’s eight National Parks, and has been so since 1985. It is located approximately 8 miles from Sibenik, where some scenes for series five have been filmed.

Krka National Park is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful waterfalls, the Stradinski Buk; a series of 17 waterfalls. There are six other waterfalls within the Krka National Park to visit, and unlike the Plitvice National Park, you are able to swim in the waters of Krka National Park.

Krka National Park

There are also many individual mills within the Krka National Park which had previously been used to make the most of the power from the waterfalls. Some still remain, and some have been renovated into restaurants and souvenir shops.

You can take boat excursions around Krka, and one of these takes you to visit Visovac Island. Whilst on the island you can take a look around the monastery, which has been on the island since 1445. You can also visit the lovely church, the museum or stroll around the stunning grounds.

The new series of Game of Thrones is due to be shown in April 2015, and will again show off the beauty of Croatia.

If you are interested in holidaying at any of these locations or any other locations in Croatia, Slovenia or Montenegro and would like more information then please call Balkan Escape on 01775 719891. ‘Dream holidays tailored to you’.

4 Game of Thrones filming locations to visit in Croatia was last modified: February 5th, 2015 by Aimee Cunningham

1.Sipan – The island of Sipan is one of the largest of the Elaphite islands, a beautiful archipelago off Dubrovnik’s coast. There are daily ferries between Dubrovnik and Sipan, with the crossing taking approximately 1 hour. There are also many organised excursions that will stop off at Sipan as well as some of the other Elaphite islands. The two main villages of Sipan are Sipanska Luka and Sudjuradj, and a bus runs between one side of the island and the other so you are able to easily explore the island.

Once at Sipan you can spend your time on the beach or go sightseeing. There are interesting ruins and churches to be seen, woods to roam, as well as crystal clear waters to swim in. When staying in Dubrovnik visiting Sipan is definitely a must, to enjoy peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds in Dubrovnik.

2. Zadar – Known for being a city that is full of life, both for visitors and for the locals, whilst still not being overloaded with tourists. There are also good ferry connections to the surrounding islands, perfect for day trips, as well as a ferry to Italy. It is also in close proximity to four of Croatia’s impressive national parks, including Plitvice which is famous for its cascading turquoise waterfalls, making Zadar a well-placed city to visit.

It has two very unique attractions, firstly the Sea Organ, which are tubes located underneath the marble steps which use the sea waves to create a sound like no other. It is said that the sound is so mesmerising that you could listen to it all day and still not want to leave. The second attraction is the Sea Salutation, located alongside the Sea Organ. The energy from the waves is used to light up the floor of the promenade, which alongside the Sea Organ creates a unique experience.

If you would rather do some sightseeing around Zadar then there are a number of Roman Ruins and Medieval churches to be seen. However by far the most spectacular of sights to see is the sunset from Zadar which the city has become very well known for. As Alfred Hitchcock once said ‘the sunset of Zadar is the world’s most beautiful’.

3. Rovinj – One of Istria’s star attractions. It is not as well-known as some of the larger towns in Croatia but due to its romance and beauty it is now becoming quite popular with tourists in the summer. There are activities such as water sports, horseback riding, kayaking and scuba diving to keep visitors busy. There are also a number of museums to be visited, as well as churches and the harbour. It is an ideal location to walk around the narrow cobbled streets and the piazzas.

You can also enjoy a short boat ride from Rovinj to Katarina Island. Although the island is small it gives visitors a chance to enjoy its beautiful park and to enjoy the beauty of the rest of the island in peace and quiet. Whilst here you can just visit the island for an hour or two (or longer if you prefer), there is also a hotel situated on the island so you can relax and unwind on the island for your entire stay.

4. Trogir – One of the oldest cities on the Croatian side of the Adriatic coast is Trogir, for which the statement ‘good things come in small packages’ could not be more true. As a UNESCO protected city, given World Heritage status in 1997, it is full of beautiful Romanesque churches, medieval walls and a promenade lined with restaurants and cafes, as well as a magnificent cathedral. If you are staying in Split then a day trip to Trogir should be taken, connected by a regular bus service. The historic bell tower gives amazing panoramic views, whilst it is quite a climb up the steep and narrow stairs it is definitely worth it as the view is simply amazing!

5. Cavtat – Known to be one of the most beautiful towns in Croatia, full of Mediterranean vegetation and a mixture of new and old architecture, as well as galleries to visit as the area is very popular for artists. Cavtat is where the settlers in Dubrovnik originated from. It is only a 45 minute bus or boat ride from Dubrovnik and is much quieter with a more relaxed and care free attitude. Visit Cavtat and enjoy walking along the 7km promenade around the wooded peninsular, and enjoy refreshing ice-creams at many of its parlours.

Cavtat is a welcome respite from the summer crowds in Dubrovnik whilst still being popular enough for there to be plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes to allow you to relax and enjoy the view of the Adriatic. To enjoy the best of both worlds then visit Cavtat as a day trip from Dubrovnik, or choose to stay in Cavtat and relax whilst knowing that a visit to Dubrovnik is only a short trip away.

If you are interested in holidaying at any of these locations or any other locations in Croatia, Slovenia or Montenegro and would like more information then please call Balkan Escape on 01775 719891. ‘Dream holidays tailored to you’.

5 unique Croatian places to visit in 2015! was last modified: January 7th, 2015 by Aimee Cunningham

Now that Croatia’s summer tourist season is coming to an end, Zagreb is once again the destination of choice throughout autumn. Here are four reasons to visit this fantastic capital:

1. Culture Vulture: Famous for having more museums per square foot than any other city in the world, Zagreb is fast becoming known as Europe’s cultural Eden. The recently built Museum of Contemporary Art is the city’s largest museum, comprising of 5,000sq metres of exhibition space, showcasing national and world renowned collections. Or why not try the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships, a thought provoking yet surprisingly romantic exhibition of the world of love. Trust me, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry.

2. Dolac Market: Croatia’s most famous daily market is definitely a must for the city breaker. Just a stone’s throw from Jelacic Square, Dolac is a hubbub of local produce from local farmers. Upstairs is where you’ll find the freshest of fruit and vegetables while downstairs is everything from meat and fish to flowers and cheese.

3. Coffee, Cafes and People Watching: Act like a local (especially on a Saturday morning) and relax in one of the city centre’s many cafes. Order a coffee and watch the hustle and bustle of city life just pass by.

4. Gableci: Finding a quick, cheap lunch in between sightseeing can be challenging in an unfamiliar city, so we recommend finding a place that has gableci on offer. During weekdays, around Zagreb you’ll see boards advertising a choice of gableci for that day; basically lunchtime dishes that are half the price of a la carte dishes. Various cafes and restaurants around the Dolac market and in the heart of city is where you’ll find great tasting grilled trout with new potatoes or perhaps a hearty vegetable risotto.

4 reasons to visit Zagreb this autumn was last modified: November 14th, 2014 by Jack Fleming

What’s it all about? Comprising of a series of tiered turquoise lakes, connected by gushing waterfalls and cascades in the forested heart of Croatia, we delve into what is commonly referred to as Europe’s best day trip; Plitvice Lake National Park.

Tell me more? Nested in the heart of Croatia’s Northern Dalmatia, Plitvice Lakes is located approximately halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. It was founded in 1949 and is Croatia’s oldest and largest protected National Park (296 km² to be precise). It features 16 crystal-clear lakes, each one connected by a series of gushing waterfalls and cascades. Visitors can explore the park using the marked trails consisting of wooden walkways, paths and bridges that wind around the edge of the lakes and trails.

The park is famed for its abundance of distinctive colour depending on the season and levels of minerals and organisms in the water, as well as the angle of sunlight. Nature lovers will adore the abundance of flora which includes a canopy of beech, spruce and fir that provides a shelter for over a thousand species of plants including 55 species of orchid.

How do I pronounce it? The English spelling is Plitvice Lakes National Park, where I’m sure the last three words won’t trouble you too much, but Plitvice might…plit-veet-seh. The National Park is known to locals as Nacionalni park Plitvicka jezera…but I wouldn’t worry about that too much!

How can I get to this magical place? Whether you’re staying in Zagreb, Zadar or the surrounding area, bus links to the Plitvice are excellent. A bus journey from Zagreb takes around two and a half hours while Zadar is approximately two hours away. Both depart from the main bus station. There are approximately 10 services a day in the summer, but be careful that not all the Zagreb to Zadar buses stop at Plitvice, some take a more direct route, sticking to the motorways. It is also advisable to book a seat the day before as it can get busy, especially in summer. If you have hired a car, you’ll find no problem finding a parking space. All visitors are advised to head to Entrance 2, the southern-most of the two.

What about kids? Most definitely! Kids will love the setting, especially the sound of the passing waterfalls. It’s probably not a great place to take infants though as there are quite a few hills and also the wooden walkways have no barriers.

Is it expensive? Not at all! An adult ticket costs between 55-180 Kuna (£6-£19), depending on the time of the year you visit. Children aged between 7 and 18 cost between 35-80 Kuna and kids under 7 are free. Two day tickets for adults cost between 90-280 Kuna while children are charged between 55 and 140 Kuna. If you’re staying at one of the National Park hotels (Plitvice, Jezero or Bellevue) and you want to visit for more than one day, just buy a ticket for one day and they’ll validate your ticket for the duration of your visit.

When should I go? The park is open all year round and each season has its attractions. In spring, the cascades are in full flow, in the summer, the vegetation is lush and the lakes turn a beautiful shade of turquoise. An autumn visit will find fewer tourists: a bonus for peace-seekers.

What if I’m hungry from all the walking? There’s a selection of cafes dotted around the park, ideal for recharging your batteries. A restaurant, Licka Kuca, just across from entrance 1 is also an excellent choice.

Will I be eaten by a bear? Highly unlikely! The Park is home to a wide variety of rare birds, insects and animals including the European brown bear, eagle, lynx, the European pond turtle, 157 species of birds, 20 different species of bat and 321 different kinds of butterfly. Don’t forget the binoculars!

What about for the more serious walkers? For more adventurous visitors, one of the most attractive places overlooking part of the Plitvice Lakes, but still within the National Park is an area known as Medvjedak (Bear’s Mount). It’s a 8km long afforested mountain slope that winds north-west from entrance 2 to entrance 1 and includes three peaks, including the highest, Tupi Medvjedak (868m above the see level).

Do I need to bring anything? In summer, it can get fairly hot so the shop and cafes are handy, when you need to refuel. Other than that, just be sensible, some proper footwear, hat, sun lotion etc. In winter, the park barely reaches above freezing and is blanketed by snow, so again be sensible and bring some warm winter boots, snow jacket, snow poles as well as many layers and extra clothes to change back into. Oh I also forgot… remember to bring the camera!

What if I want to go for longer than a day? You can of course spend more than a day here as a nice selection of comfortable hotels is located near to entrance 2. With comfortable rooms and facilities with some including a pool, gym and tennis courts, a short break to the Plitvice Lakes is the perfect way to experience the natural wonders of Croatia.

Where can I find book a holiday to Plitvice Lakes National Park? Balkan Escape offers a range of options. Speak to one of our advisors on 01775 719891 or visit out Plitvice Lakes National Park page here.

Plitvice Lakes…possibly the best day trip in Europe was last modified: November 14th, 2014 by Jack Fleming